The Cedar Key Art Center will once again sponsor a Benefit Dinner, with a raffle and silent auction for the 2013 Cedar Key Children’s Art Program. This gala event will be held at the Cedar Key Community Center on Thursday, Feb. 28. There will be a social and silent auction beginning at 6 p.m. with dinner and raffle beginning at 7 p.m. This gourmet feast will be provided by Cedar Key’s Island Room Restaurant.

Photo submitted

Young artists help set up at last year’s Cedar Key Children’s Art Program Benefit Dinner.

This program is very important to the children of Cedar Key because art is no longer offered at the school. Last year’s excellent Children’s Art Program was held during the month of July and included 39 children, ranging in age from 6 to 16. Thanks to the great teachers and community volunteers, the children were able to experience pottery and jewelry making, silk and watercolor painting, cyanotyping, rayograms, mosaic art and drawing. After the two week program, the children’s art work was placed on exhibit for the community to enjoy and for the children to show off their creations. Both parents and children were enthusiastic about the program. From a child participant, “I can’t wait until next year because it was the most fun I ever had in art!” And from a parent, “My child had a blast from beginning to end.”

Aside from a small material fee, the program was completely funded by the Benefit Dinner and the face painting booth at the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts. This year’s function promises to be better than ever with valuable artwork donated by local artists for the silent auction and raffle.

Anyone wishing to be involved in this year’s event, either with donations or assisting with the Benefit itself, please contact Donna Bushnell at 352-493-1807. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Cedar Key Welcome Center, at the Art Opening Reception on Feb. 2 and from any Cedar Key Art Center board members.